Mitigating effects of desert dust storms in asthmatic children: health visitors’ perceptions, Cyprus

Abstract Background Countries of the Mediterranean basin such as Cyprus are experiencing frequent desert dust storm (DDS) events that adversely impact children with asthma. As school health visitors (SHVs) have important role in asthma management, we examined SHVs practices and perceptions on asthma management and their level of engagement in school-based interventions to mitigate DDS- health effects. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among SHVs across state schools in Cyprus via an anonymous questionnaire, which rated the importance of asthma management measures (10-point scale), current implementation of these practices (1=never - 5=always), and regulatory authorities’ preparedness to respond to DDS events (1-5 Likert scale). Results Responses from 78 of the 93 SHVs (84%), with an average work experience of 13.5 years (SD 7.3), revealed discordance between high perception of the importance of asthma management measures and their actual implementation, with poor scoring especially in assessment of asthma control (M = 2.4, SD = 1.5), tracking school absenteeism (M = 2.1, SD = 1.0) and monitoring of asthma triggers (M = 1.9, SD = 1.4). Any DDS-related measures (e.g. air quality real-time monitoring, warnings, recommendations, awareness campaigns, etc) were implemented very infrequently. Ratings of authorities’ preparedness were moderate (<3.5), and only slightly higher in the health versus the educational or other government services. SHVs who recognized the severity of DDS and potential impact on asthmatic children were more likely to support school-based interventions for DDS events (OR = 7.3, 95% CI: 2.1-25.3). Conclusions Asthma management practices in school settings in Cyprus are suboptimal and responses during DDS are fragmented. While SHV’s awareness and support for interventions is high, this is not reflected in current practices. A concerted effort is needed for adoption of policies and implementation of action plans for DDS within school settings. Key messages • Suboptimal asthma management policies and practices were found to be implemented in schools in Cyprus, a country highly exposed to dust events. • School health visitors recognize the health impact of desert dust on asthmatic children and support the plan for dust-mitigation programmes in schools, despite authorities’ low preparedness.


Background:
EPH Conferences have an increased focus on the health impacts of climate change. However, until 2021 EPHC abstracts did not address opportunities to challenge government inaction in national and international courts. ASPHER's European List of Core Competences for the Public Health Professional (2018) only mentions NCDs and data protection law. Yet litigation to address environmental degradation and climate change is well-developed in Europe and beyond. International environmental law was presciently framed as part of global health law by Joaquin Cayon in Laaser U.

Conclusions:
There is keen interest in the public health community to better understand how litigation can address public health challenges including climate change and environmental degradation. Capacity building is needed. Key messages: Climate litigation supported by interdisciplinary collaboration can strengthen government resolve and accountability for action to address environmental and climate commitments. Litigation can advance public health objectives even without a favourable court decision. Its value also includes the publicity and awareness generated and engagement of multiple stakeholders.
Abstract citation ID: ckac131.151 Mitigating effects of desert dust storms in asthmatic children: health visitors' perceptions, Cyprus

Background:
Countries of the Mediterranean basin such as Cyprus are experiencing frequent desert dust storm (DDS) events that adversely impact children with asthma. As school health visitors (SHVs) have important role in asthma management, we examined SHVs practices and perceptions on asthma management and their level of engagement in school-based interventions to mitigate DDS-health effects.

Methods:
A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among SHVs across state schools in Cyprus via an anonymous questionnaire, which rated the importance of asthma management measures (10-point scale), current implementation of these practices (1 = never -5 = always), and regulatory authorities' preparedness to respond to DDS events (1-5 Likert scale).

Results:
Responses from 78 of the 93 SHVs (84%), with an average work experience of 13.5 years (SD 7.3), revealed discordance between high perception of the importance of asthma management measures and their actual implementation, with poor scoring especially in assessment of asthma control (M = 2.4, SD = 1.5), tracking school absenteeism (M = 2.1, SD = 1.0) and monitoring of asthma triggers (M = 1.9, SD = 1.4). Any DDS-related measures (e.g. air quality realtime monitoring, warnings, recommendations, awareness campaigns, etc) were implemented very infrequently. Ratings 15th European Public Health Conference 2022 of authorities' preparedness were moderate (<3.5), and only slightly higher in the health versus the educational or other government services. SHVs who recognized the severity of DDS and potential impact on asthmatic children were more likely to support school-based interventions for DDS events (OR = 7.3, 95% CI: 2.1-25.3).

Conclusions:
Asthma management practices in school settings in Cyprus are suboptimal and responses during DDS are fragmented. While SHV's awareness and support for interventions is high, this is not reflected in current practices. A concerted effort is needed for adoption of policies and implementation of action plans for DDS within school settings. Key messages: Suboptimal asthma management policies and practices were found to be implemented in schools in Cyprus, a country highly exposed to dust events. School health visitors recognize the health impact of desert dust on asthmatic children and support the plan for dustmitigation programmes in schools, despite authorities' low preparedness. Background: Microplastics (MPs) are defined as small particles less than 5 mm in size occuring in the environment as a consequence of plastic pollution. MPs are classified into primary MPs, which are created for industrial uses, and secondary MPs, that derive from the degradation of larger plastic items. With the global increase in plastic production, MPs have become widely distributed in the natural ecosystems and have been charged with causing several detrimental effects on both the environment and on human health. Moreover, plastics often include additives to improve their properties, which may produce additional toxic substances. Humans can be exposed to MPs through different pathways, including ingestion, inhalation and dermal contact.

Conclusions:
Literature has underlined several negative health concerns resulting from the absorption of microplastics and plastic additives. By gathering this information, this systematic review sheds light on the possible threats of MPs inhalation to human health and discusses whether an implementation of new public health policies for the foreseeable future is needed.

Key messages:
Inhalation is a major route of exposure to microplastics. Inhaled microplastics or plastic additives may have detrimental effects on human health, promoting respiratory diseases or carcinogenic processes.
Abstract citation ID: ckac131.153 Increasing urban health awareness using an interactive approach: evidence from a school-based study

Issue:
Urbanization is a cause of climate change, as cities are where these changes are most visible. Climate change also leads to significant inequalities and health issues in urban settings. In this context, urban health promotion is mandatory to increase adaptive capacity. Since the late 1980s the World Health Organization (WHO) has emphasized schools' role in promoting health, as they can play a crucial role in increasing health awareness to future urban inhabitants.

Description:
The objective of this pre/post-interventional study is to measure the awareness of urban health and green spaces among high school students and to rise it through an educational intervention. Four interactive sessions were delivered to 319 students from 13 to 18 years old in a high school in Rome, Italy during spring 2022. Data was gathered anonymously and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results:
A total of 192 (60%) students successfully completed the pre/ post-intervention surveys. An increase in students' knowledge of urban health and urban green areas was observed. Before the intervention 11.8% of participants were aware of urban health, whereas after the intervention 87.5% were aware. A rise across different areas appeared to be related to how many times the teachers repeated that concept during the intervention. For topics discussed in more than one session, the increase in correct answers averaged 13.9%. Two different trends emerged from the data analysis: one whose post-intervention test improved on most of questions and one whose postintervention test remained unchanged.

Lessons:
The results of the present study suggest that school-based interventions using interactive approaches on climate change and urban health are effective for increasing the knowledge level of scholars on these topics, and can be a useful way to promote health in an urban setting. This type of approach maintains high levels of concentration and interest in most students.
Key messages: Urban health training activities in schools are needed to empower youth who live in urban settings. Interactive sessions keep student concentration high and improve their participation.